Paralysis of the lower half of the body, including both legs, typically resulting from spinal cord injury or disease. Arm function usually remains normal.
From Greek 'para-' meaning 'beside' or 'alongside' + 'plegia' meaning 'paralysis'. Originally referred to paralysis of corresponding parts on both sides of the body.
Paraplegia is like having your body's main highway suddenly blocked by a roadblock! The spinal cord is your body's information superhighway, and when it's damaged below the chest level, all the traffic (nerve signals) trying to reach your legs gets stopped, while the upper routes to your arms remain clear.
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